Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for direct face‑to‑face negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an open public letter. In the same letter, Zelensky said the United States was focused on Iran and that U.S. priorities were shifting away from Ukraine.

According to alarabiya, the European Union welcomed Zelensky’s call for direct talks, and EU spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said that Ukraine wants peace and Europe wants peace. The BBC reported that Zelensky said only direct engagement between Ukraine and Russia could end the war. Bluesky reported that Zelensky added world leaders need to put more pressure, including sanctions, on Putin to bring him to the negotiating table, and noted that the war between Ukraine and Russia has lasted for more than four years.

CNN reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin rebuffed Zelensky’s call for face‑to‑face talks, describing the open letter as rude and saying there was no point.